Lament Over Fallen Babylon

18 After this I saw another angel^(A) coming down from heaven.^(B) He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.^{(C) 2} With a mighty voice he shouted:

The Finality of Babylon’s Doom

²¹ Then a mighty angel^(A) picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea,^(B) and said:

Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon’s Fall

19 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude^(A) in heaven shouting:

³ And again they shouted:

⁹ Then the angel said to me,^(A) “Write this:^(B) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”^(C) And he added, “These are the true words of God.”^(D)

²⁰ “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies,^(A) you will know that its desolation is near. ²¹ Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.^{(B) 22} For this is the time of punishment^(C) in fulfillment^(D) of all that has been written. ²³ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. ²⁴ They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled^(E) on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

²⁵ “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.^{(F) 26} People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.^{(G) 27} At that time they will see the Son of Man^(H) coming in a cloud^(I) with power and great glory. ²⁸ When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”^(J)